HANNEMANN: MAHALO FOR APPROVAL OF TRAVEL PROMOTION ACT

(Thurs., March 4, 2010)—Mayor Mufi Hannemann today expressed his appreciation for President Obama’s final approval of the Travel Promotion Act, a measure designed to increase international travel to the US, and a key priority of the US Conference of Mayors.

“I’m very grateful to President Obama for signing this important measure into law,” said Hannemann, a USCM trustee and chairman of its Standing Committee on Tourism, Arts, Parks, Entertainment and Sports. “The mayors made the Travel Promotion Act part of our 10-Point Action Plan and our 2010 Metro Agenda for America, and worked very hard to secure its passage on Capitol Hill. The President’s approval is wonderful news for our nation, and especially for cities where tourism is a major economic pillar.”

The Travel Promotion Act creates a public-private partnership to promote the United States as a premier international travel destination and communicate US security and entry policies. The effort will be paid for by private-sector contributions and a $10 fee on foreign travelers. The US Travel Association, of which the US Conference of Mayors is a member, estimates that the bill would attract 1.6 million new international visitors, create over 40,000 new jobs in its first year, generate $4 billion in new economic activity and contribute over $321 million in new federal tax revenue each year.

Hannemann, who spent time on Capitol Hill in February urging approval of the measure, thanked Hawaii’s Congressional delegation for their support.

            The US Conference of Mayors passed its first resolution in support of the Travel Promotion Act at its 74th Annual Conference in 2006 and has done so every year since. Hannemann was the driving force in ensuring the measure was included in the mayors’ 10-Point Action Plan and 2010 Metro Agenda for America.

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Media contact: Bill Brennan, Mayor’s Office, 768-6928